Author: Justin Von Ahsen
EBF Jazz Ensemble began rehearsals for the 23-24 season on Monday, November 6th. The band is off to a great start learning their contest tunes and honing in on performing in an appropriate jazz style. The band consists of 19 students in four different sections: five saxophones, four trombones, four trumpets, and six rhythm section members. The rhythm section consists of a drum set, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, vibraphone, piano, and auxiliary/toy percussion. The band rehearses on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 7:00-7:50, unless we don't have school on Friday, in which case the group rehearses on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Jazz band is different from every other part of the band program in the sense that it is 100% extracurricular and volunteer, and does not rehearse during school hours, but beforehand. This year the band will be competing at a total of five different jazz band contests throughout January through March, with the hopes of adding a 6th contest, the Iowa Jazz Championships, in April.
Thursday, January 25th: Simpson College Jazz Festival
Saturday, January 27th: IHSMA State Jazz Festival
Saturday, February 10th: Southeast Polk JazzFest
Friday,. February 23rd: Indian Hills Community College Jazz Festival
Saturday, March 2nd: SEIBA District Jazz Contest (this is the Iowa Jazz Championships qualifying contest)
Tuesday, April 2nd: Iowa Jazz Championships (must place in the top 2 at SEIBA to qualify)
We hope to see you all at some of our contests!